Method for cutting solid oxide fuel cell elements

Abstract

A method for severing a solid-oxide fuel cell bi-layer element including a structural anode and an electrolyte layer, comprising the steps of orienting the bi-layer element such that the surface thereof is accessible to laser treatment; impinging a laser beam on the electrolyte surface; moving the impinged laser beam past the surface along a path in a plane corresponding to the desired severed edge to form a groove in the element extending partially through the element to a predetermined depth; and applying a bending moment across the groove to cause the element to break into first and second portions. The groove depth is preferably about 15% of the total thickness of the element.

1. A method for severing a solid-oxide bi-layer fuel cell element into a first portion and a second portion, comprising the steps of:
 a) orienting said bi-layer element such that a surface thereof is accessible to laser treatment; 
 b) impinging a laser beam on said surface; 
 c) moving said impinged laser beam past said surface along a path to form a groove in said element extending partially through said element to a predetermined depth; and 
 d) applying a bending moment across said groove to cause said element to break along said groove, severing said solid-oxide bi-layer fuel cell element into said first portion and said second portion. 
 
     
     
       2. A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said laser beam is impinged at a point contained in a plane extending through said element. 
     
     
       3. A method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said path is contained within said plane. 
     
     
       4. A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said laser beam is formed by laser apparatus selected from the group consisting of: Q-switched 6-watt diode pumped Nd:YAG laser; Q-switched 50-watt flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG laser; Q-switched 18-watt diode pumped Nd:YAG laser, frequency doubled; Q-switched green laser (532 nm); Ultraviolet laser including argon ion (100 nm to 400 nm); argon laser (488 nm and 514 nm); and CO 2  laser (10,600 nm). 
     
     
       5. A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the depth of said groove is between about 2% and about 50% of the total thickness of said element. 
     
     
       6. A method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said depth is about 15% of said total thickness. 
     
     
       7. A method for preparing a solid-oxide bi-layer fuel cell element to be severed into a first portion and a second portion, comprising the steps of:
 a) orienting said bi-layer element such that a surface thereof is accessible to laser treatment; 
 b) impinging a laser beam on said surface; and 
 c) moving said impinged laser beam past said surface along a path to form a groove in said element extending partially through said element to a predetermined depth, wherein said solid-oxide bi-layer fuel cell element may be severed into said first portion and said second portion by applying a bending moment across said groove to cause said element to break along said groove. 
 
     
     
       8. A method in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said laser beam is impinged at a point contained in a plane extending through said element. 
     
     
       9. A method in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said path is contained within said plane. 
     
     
       10. A method in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said laser beam is formed by laser apparatus selected from the group consisting of: Q-switched 6-watt diode pumped Nd:YAG laser; Q-switched 50-watt flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG laser; Q-switched 18-watt diode pumped Nd:YAG laser, frequency doubled; Q-switched green laser (532 nm); Ultraviolet laser including argon ion (100 nm to 400 nm); argon laser (488 nm and 514 nm); and CO 2  laser (10,600 nm). 
     
     
       11. A method in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the depth of said groove is between about 2% and about 50% of the total thickness of said element. 
     
     
       12. A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said depth is about 15% of said total thickness.